AUSTRALIA

JAMES HALLIDAYS 93 POINTS - "Another individual vineyard Hunter Valley shiraz in our range, this one hailing from a vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge Read More...

in the northern part of the Lower Hunter. Planted in 1998, the red brown loam soils over limestone are what give this wine its unique floral lift and character. The relatively vigourous vines are usually crop thinned to around 4 tonnes per Hectare each year which ensures even ripening and produces wonderfully concentrated fruit. 50 cases for US Market."

A classic Dead Arm in every sense of the word. The nose is brooding and alluring, earthy notes combined with dark fruits, fennel and baking spice. The longer this wine sits in the glass, Read More...

the further it unfurls opening into notes of sweeter berry fruit laced with more of those soily, forest floor notes. The palate is dense and concentrated with a plethora of fruit characters, plum, blackberry, mulberry, earth, iodine and black olive. Despite the richness and intensity of the attack and mid palate the experience surprisingly crescendos with a lick of spicey pepper, coupled with lovely, fined grained, textural tannins that seem to persist in the mouth forever.

The name âStump Jumpâ pays homage to a significant South Australian invention â the Stump Jump plough. As well as clearing the land around McLaren Vale, it was adopted worldwide in Read More...

the late 19th century because of its ability to ride over stumps and gnarled roots, saving valuable time and energy.
The nose features plum and bright red fruits with a hint of roasted meats, earth, pepper and exotic spices.
The palate has some wonderful delicate fruit with blackberry joining the party. A touch of dried herbs adds a savoury edge with fine, lifted tannins providing a long finish.

JAMES HALLIDAY TOP 100 WINE LIST 95 POINTS - "One of the great wines of Australia, Hunter Shiraz is powerful as it is subtle, with pure fruit flavors Read More...

balanced by spice and earthy characters. Round, soft tannins mean it can be enjoyed young, but balance and great length of flavour ensure that this will reach its best in 5-10 years. Enjoy this fine example of a true Hunter Shiraz."

WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "Only made in select years (2007 and 2003 thus far), Ode to Lorraine is a wine made in homage to Al and Cameronâs mum, who Read More...

remains the âuberbossâ of the operation. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz and 8% Merlot, the 2008 Ode to Lorraine spent 18 months in new and seasoned French and American hogsheads. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives intense blueberry, black currant and spice box aromas with hints of prunes, licorice and some earth. Rich and full-bodied with medium to firm grainy tannins and plenty of enlivening acid, it finishes long with layers of mulberry and spice flavors. Approachable now, it should soften more in a year or so and drink best from 2012 to 2020+."

In-store purchase only.Please call 800-331-3005 for details.

flavors are complemented by licorice and singed orange, with a late note of candied red berries. Clings impressively on the finish, leaving intense smoke and spice notes behind. This thick, weighty wine should be served by itself as I suspect it would overwhelm all but the most decadent desserts."

and blueberry. Full-bodied on the palate, it has a glossy texture, layered flavors bordering on opulent, incipient complexity, plenty of depth and richness, and a long, fruit-filled finish. It can be enjoyed now but will drink well for a decade."

This is the first vintage of this wine produced and a first in the US as well. The Ashmeads decided to dedicate a special estate Shiraz to the memory of their beloved father Neil Ashmead. Early on Neil conducted the family business on the road and had an affection for fast cars as well. Hence the name âGrand Tourer Shirazâ was given to the wine. Itâs seamless from start to finish and very apparent that a good deal of love and hard work went into producing it. We are very grateful to offer this special wine to our Hi-Time Customers.

in color. The nose is a complex and concentrated blend of fruit aromas with spice, black pepper and ironstone flintiness with hints of oak. A core of fruit gives weight to the front palate while blackberry, black olive, ironstone and the use of subtle, spicy French oak give complexity. Red currant and dark plum complements the fine-grained tannins, which give the wine length.

WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2005 Chardonnay âPiccadillyâ was aged in 50% new French oak but went through minimal malolactic fermentation and a restrained Read More...

batonnage regimen. It delivers aromas of green apple, pear, and lemon zest followed by a medium-bodied wine with a lean, racy personality in the style of a top Premier Cru Chablis. This nicely balanced Chardonnay will drink well for several years."

plum nose with hints of eucalyptus, star anise, cloves and pepper. Medium to full-bodied with lots of mouth-filling and juicy blackberry flavor, it is supported by medium level, grainy tannins and refreshing acid before finishing with very good length. Drink it now to 2017.â

Heartland is that place between the vines with the best view of the gum trees. When the team behind Heartland first got together to start their winery all those years ago, the idea was to embrace the best Australian fruit could offer and create wines of balance and texture with a uniquely Australian identity. They found a pure expression of this identity in Langhorne Creek, which has remained the chief source of their fruit ever since.

This is their first vintage of Spice Trader. The idea behind the name related to the spice traders of yore, when explorers would 'go the distance' to find exotic flavors. They are co-conspirators of the hunt for elusive spices that fascinate our palates and capture our imaginations. Wine should be an adventure. And what an adventure! This blend of 58% Shiraz and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon is both epic and monstrous-- but not in the quite the way you think; itâs epic in the sense of depth in flavor, and monstrous in scope of value related to how absolutely delicious it is. This one blew us away with how much âwowâ there is for the very fair price. Do you know that the word awful once meant âfull of aweâ? This wine has that kind of dichotomous nature. The kids these days might express their approval by saying: âDude! Thatâs sick!â We really, really like this one and were astounded (and delighted!) itâs under 14 bucks a bottle.

The nose is loaded with darker fruits, incense, midnight florals, spiced meat, plenty of exotic spice and english tobacco. The palate sees a mix of sweet red and black cherry fruit, darker berries, kept perfectly aloft with deft acidity and supple tannins. Eastern/baking spices and a touch of cured meat support the mid-palate. The finish is long and luxurious, receding slowly in a wake of dark fruits and spices.

Rich aromas of spicy plums, blackberries, anise and sage oil with hints of tar, pepper and cedar. The intensely fruited palate is concentrated, rich and lush with excellent balance, velvety tannins and a long finish.

AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 98 POINTS -
"Vivid, deep purple-crimson; this is a blue-blood aristocratic Shiraz, certain in its supreme power, length and balance, and not going out to prove anything. If anyone doubts its quality now, the scales will fall from their eyes over the decades ahead, as it will be recognised by all and sundry as one of the greatest Mount Edelstones. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Drink to 2062."

STEPHEN TANZER INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR 94 POINTS - "Saturated ruby. Wild, intensely aromatic bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, incense, smoky Indian spices and vanilla, with a seductive floral quality emerging with aeration. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering intense blackberry and boysenberry flavors, a touch of anise and building spiciness. Velvety and full but lively too, finishing with excellent power and smooth, sneaky tannins that come in late"

WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Made with grapes dry-grown in the oldest Mourvedre vineyard in the world - touting vines planted in 1853 - the 2010 Old Garden Mourvedre is medium deep garnet-purple in color. This wine is intensely scented of warm mulberries and black cherries with underlying cigar box, allspice, vanilla and potpourri suggestions. Full-bodied and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it explodes with blackberry, baking spice and earth flavors, has medium levels of grainy tannins and bright acid freshness. It finishes long with some cedar notes coming through. Drink it now to 2022+."